Snowdonia Slate Trail from Bangor to Caernarfon

Make your own way to Bangor. This is on the London to Holyhead rail route.

From Porth Penrhyn near Bangor, the trail heads out along the old Penrhyn Quarry Railway beside Penrhyn Castle, then heads off along the North Wales Path tracing the route of the (river) Afon Ogwen. There is some open mountainside Walking below Moel Faban with views of the Carneddau and Glyderau and the extensive grey-blue spoil tips of Penrhyn Quarry. You then descend via Hen Barc, into the winding streets of Bethesda. After a coffee or lunch break you now head off through the heart of the slate industry climbing out of the Ogwen Valley to Mynydd Llandegai by riverside paths and minor roads.

There is a section of wild moor crossing Gwaun Gynfi, it can be a bit indistinct for a section but then some good paths lead to Parc Padarn, the National Slate Museum of Wales passing the recently restored Dinorwig Quarry Hospital, and crossing the Padarn Railway into Llanberis.This small former mining town is now quite a tourist hot spot with outdoor shops, cafes and of course the Snowdon railway. We would recommend an extra night here in order to ascend Snowdon the highest point in Wales, either on foot or by rail. Or you can walk around the lake, hire kayaks or even wild swim!

Leave Llanberis, to follow the lanes and the North Wales Pilgrims’ Path onto the hillside high above the village.Then along a wide track, passing through forestry and quarry workings, before field paths into Waunfawr, where it might be time to visit Antur Waunfawr's café. Eventually, open moorland is reached with views of Mynydd Mawr and the rugged Nantlle Ridge ahead. Soon you pass the slate workings of the Nantlle Valley and the trail passes beneath the towering slate tips and between gaping quarries before emerging in the village of Nantlle.

There follows an easy walk along the valley bottom before a boggy ascent, to the forest and a descent into Rhyd Ddu with its Welsh Highland light railway, pub and café. The last leg of the day follows the recently established ‘Lon Gwyrfai’ recreational trail. It is a pleasant and easy walk along way-marked paths and forest trails, with views of Snowdonia’s highest mountains, finally reaching the village of Beddgelert.

Out of Beddgelert the trail follows the Afon Glaslyn along a paved path through parkland close to the grave of a famed medieaval dog called Gelert. After crossing the river and the railway, take the rugged path, crossing bridges and along boardwalks hugging the sheer rocks at the Aberglaslyn Pass.

The trail then ascends to the National Trust car park at Nantmor,where a narrow lane takes you through the pretty village to Bwlchgwernog where the drovers` road crosses the moorland to Croesor, a tiny hamlet located at the foot of Cnicht, the Matterhorn of Wales! There is then a wild and strenuous leg, climbing the side of the Croesor valley to Croesor quarry. There are waymarks but careful navigation is also needed to reach the remote Rhosydd Quarry, from where a broad track drops down to Cwmorthin Lake and its abandoned settlement with a forlorn and roofless chapel. Then follow the track down alongside the tumbling river and walk down to the Lakeside Café at Tanygrisiau. Finally, you follow field paths and tracks to Blaenau Ffestiniog. look out for the River of Slate in the central car park.

From town there is a short steep walk down through the Woods to continue to the end of Cwm Bowydd, where you take field paths into the hidden gem of a gorge called Cwm Teigl with its pretty cascades. Then walk up the field paths to Llan Ffestiniog and the Pengwern pub. Leaving the village there are some open and sometimes boggy moors where good route finding is necessary. A descent through quarry workings takes you to Cwm Penmachno before a final climb and subsequent descent through the forest to the old mining village called Penmachno where you might want to visit the Heritage room about the history.

Forestry tracks take the trail down to Roman Bridge, after which the road is followed to Conwy Falls Café. A pleasant track passes the beautiful Fairy Glen before a short woodland Walk leads to bustling Betws y Coed with its Waterloo Bridge, a Grade I listed cast iron bridge, spanning the river, built by Thomas Telford constructed in the year of the Battle of Waterloo 1815.

This beautiful section leaves Betws y Coed by a well-engineered riverside walk, passing the famous Swallow Falls where a narrow but safe path clings to the cliffs above the swirling torrent. Enjoy the view of these spectacular falls before continuing alongside the river.

Reaching the road at The Ugly House which was built in 24 hours, a steep pull up a lane takes you into the Gwydir Forest and good woodland tracks. Once out of the woods, the stunning panorama of Snowdon, Moel Siabod, the Carneddau and the Glyderau open up as you drop down into Capel Curig. After a look round you can enjoy a virtually level walk to the head of the impressive U-shaped Nant Ffrancon valley and a few easy-ish miles of minor road down this beautiful valley, after which you join the Lon Las Ogwen cycleway. This takes you around the slate tips of the Penrhyn Quarry before a short cycleway takes you back into Bethesda.

The Grand finale today takes under the flank of Moel Faban, at Llanllechid Church, join the riverside footpath along the Afon y LLan to cross the pastures to the mill race of the River Ogwen, then crossing the main roads the trail heads north along the river bank of the Afon Cegin to retrace your steps into Bangor. Here you turn westerly along the Menai Strait and through the Nant Porth Nature Reserve. This leads to pass the stunning Menai suspension Bridge completed by Thomas Telford in 1826.

Continue through Treborth Botanic gardens passing the Britannia Road Bridge. Deviate inland to cross the Nanty Garth at Aber Pwll, before resuming your trajectory to Carnarfon. The Castle is one of the largest and most imposing fortifications built by the English in Wales. In 1284, they established the county of Caernarfonshire and Caernarfon was made the seat of English government in north Wales. Today it is a World Heritage site and is said to have a higher proportion of Welsh speakers than anywhere else.

Arrangements end after breakfast.